Hip arthritis is also called wear and tear arthritis or degenerative joint disease. The protective cartilage is slowly worn away in the hip joint. Eventually, bare bone is exposed in the hip joint, causing a variety of symptoms.
Hip arthritis generally affects people over fifty years of age. Those that are overweight will have a higher chance of developing hip arthritis. There also seems to be a hereditary factor in the development of arthritis of the hip.
Symptoms of hip arthritis can include, pain in the hip with activities, limited range of motion, walking with a limp and stiffness of the affected hip. The symptoms do not progress on a consistent basis. Many patients will report having good months with few symptoms and bad months where they can hardly move. The symptoms seem to change with climate or weather changes.
If you suspect that you have hip arthritis, you should be evaluated by your doctor. A physical exam and x-rays should be performed. This will give your doctor a baseline. He or she will then be able to evaluate you for the progression of hip arthritis.
Treatment for hip arthritis may vary from person to person. Your doctor will be able to tell what type of treatment is right for you. Unless your hip arthritis if severe, the basic treatments should be tried first.
The most basic treatment, yet the hardest for a lot of patients to perform, is weight loss. The less weight that your hip joint has to bear, the better it will perform and the less pain you will experience.
Modifying certain activities may be necessary to decrease the pain from hip arthritis. Physical therapy can be very beneficial for those with this condition. Many people report fantastic results from aquatic therapy. This helps to stregthen the muscles around the hip joint, burns calories to aid in weight loss and improves balance and coordination.
Walking aids may be helpful. This may be a cane or a crutch. Any type of aid that will help you take the weight off the affected hip can help decrease the symptoms.
Specific medications can help decrease the pain of hip arthritis. Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs will help to decrease the inflammation in the hip. These may be purchased over the counter or your doctor may choose to put you on a prescription strength. Glucosamine is an over the counter joint supplement that has significant case study results proving effectiveness of use. There is inconclusive concrete medical evidence to this fact, but the supplement has minimal to no side effects and may well be worth trying.
If the hip joint deteriorates to the point that you can no longer walk, you may need to consider getting a hip replacement. This surgery consists of removing the hip joint and inserting a metal and plastic implant in it’s place.
Hip arthritis is painful and it can become disabling. It is important that you work with your doctor closely to maintain your mobility as much as possible.
RESOURCES
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Inflammatory Arthritis of Hip
Duke Orthopaedics: Hip Arthritis
Cedars-Sinai: Arthritis of the HIp
Arthritis today: The Hip
University of Washington Orthopaedis and Sports medicine: Osteoarthritis of the Hip
Washington University Orthopedics: ARthritis of the Hip